PetSmart Accelerates 16.5-Cent Quarterly Dividend

By Michael Aneiro

PetSmart, Inc. (PETM) joined the kennel of pre-fiscal cliff dividend accelerators late Monday, declaring a 16.5-cent quarterly common stock dividend and moving up its payment date to Dec. 31, payable to shareholders of record as of Dec. 19. The fourth-quarter dividend would normally be paid in February 2013.

PETM shares were unchanged in after-hours trade after falling 11 cents on the day to $70.25, yielding 0.94%.